The Freestore Foodbank is here to help you in your time of need. We understand the hardships you are facing. From keeping a roof over your head, to having food on the table for your family, or preventing your electric from being shut off – these worries are real.

A birth certificate or social security card for each person in your household

What To Expect

When you come to our Customer Connection Center, a Freestore Foodbank employee will meet with you one-on-one. We want to understand what is happening in your life so we can determine the best ways to help.

Food – We provide groceries for you and your family to give you one less thing to worry about as you work to make ends meet. Our Food Room is a choice pantry, which allows you to choose your items from the selection available, much like a regular grocery store. The Food Room is located at our Customer Connection Center and opens at 8:00 a.m. Monday through Friday. For assistance with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), previously known as food stamps, please contact Kam McKenzie at kmckenzie@freestorefoodbank.org or (513) 357-4620.

Clothing – We have a variety of clothing for men, women and children, including suits for job interviews. Our Back on Track clothing assistance program is located at our Customer Connection Center and is open from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday.

“If I had to buy new clothing, there would be less money to go toward my bills,” said Lynn, a single mother working to make ends meet. “Back on Track helps me stretch my dollars.”

Job training – Our Cincinnati COOKS! program prepares you with the necessary skills and certification to help you find work in the food service industry. The free 10-week course operates in the Rosenthal Community Kitchen (1141 Central Parkway) 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The program prepares you for ServSafe Certification and helps with job placement.

Health Care Enrollment – The Freestore Foodbank is a “Navigator” site for the Affordable Care Act. We will assist residents in the counties of Adams, Brown, Butler, Clermont, Hamilton and Highland in enrolling in health insurance through the “Marketplace” (healthcare.gov) or Ohio Medicaid depending upon eligibility. Enrollment assistance is available at our Customer Connection Center from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Money management – Managing money can be a challenge. Our staff will work with you and your finances to help you move forward. Our Representative Payee program is available at our Customer Connection Center.

“They taught me not only how to budget, but how to set goals for my future and work towards independence,” said James, who went through the Representative Payee program. “Today, I am strong and taking charge of my life, like a grown man should.”

Transportation – We can provide bus passes to help get you to work or a doctor’s appointments through Everybody Rides Metro. Bus passes are made available at our Customer Connection Center.

Housing – From helping you find a place to live to making sure you make your rent for the month, we have a variety of services to keep a roof over your head.

Find One Of Our Partner Agencies In Your Community

Additionally, the Freestore Foodbank works with a network of 350 community partners spread across 20 counties in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. These include food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters.

“I felt like I had been thrown away,“ said Patricia, who became homeless she was laid off from her job. “I was so afraid. Then, I came to the Freestore Foodbank. They helped me find housing and gave me food to eat. I was able to fine a job and now I feel like a real woman again.”

We Are Here To HelpIf you have questions about the Freestore Foodbank’s services, please give us a call us at (513) 241-1064. United Way’s 2-1-1 hotline is also available to connect you with resources 24 hours a day, seven days a week.